IN a week full of classic trial joy for Ballydoyle, Delacroix put his hat in the ring as potentially the standout Aidan O’Brien contender for the Betfred Derby with a comprehensive success in the Group 3 Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial.

It was all very straightforward for Wayne Lordan on the 1/3 favourite, who was available to back at a top-priced 8/1 for Epsom glory before this but is now only 4/1 after scoring by two and three quarters of a length.

Following up a smart victory in the Ballysax Stakes here six weeks earlier, he will now bid to become the first horse since the same connections’ High Chaparral in 2002 to win this €100,000 contest and the Epsom Derby.

This performance capped a stellar couple of minutes for O’Brien and Coolmore, as Henri Matisse landed the French 2000 Guineas at ParisLongchamp moments after Delacroix had come home in front at Leopardstown.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “It’s been a good couple of minutes - if only it could be like that every time! Gavin [Ryan, on Rock Of Cashel] went along at an even tempo and Wayne got a lovely lead into it. When he got after him with a furlong and a half to go, the most impressive part was how he really lengthened and quickened to the line.

“It’s all roads on to Epsom now. His homework has been very good since here the last day. He’s come forward lovely and all being well he’ll come forward again. We’re looking forward to a big race at Epsom.

“He really dropped down and stretched out. Wayne said going to the line he was having a good look, which is a good sign there is plenty left in there. The signs were that he had come forward at home, and hopefully he does again for the Derby.”

Lordan was briefly unseated by the winner on the way to the start and added: “He was a bit fresh and when we got out on the track, he went a bit quicker than I wanted to go and when we met the rail gravity took over. He was straight forward after that. He can go at a good tempo and quicken as well which is the sign of a good horse.”

All eyes will now turn to Delacroix’s stablemate The Lion In Winter, who remains the general 11/4 favourite for Epsom ahead of his comeback in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York on Thursday.

Runner-up Purview emerged with plenty of credit from this, his first start since a smart winter maiden win at Dundalk on debut.

His trainer Dermot Weld said: "I was delighted with him for his first run of the year, and he hasn’t run since last November. It was his first time on grass, and he won very easily on the Polytrack on his only run as a two-year-old.

“He switched off beautifully. He’s a magnificent big horse, he’s 16.2, and he won’t be a horse until he develops into his big frame. I reckon the winner is a very high-class colt and you could see the class of his sire Dubawi the way he quickened.

“I’m very happy with my horse and the further he went the better he went. That causes problems going forward to decide which route we go with him. I’ll speak with Prince Khalid’s family and with Barry Mahon before we make a decision.

“He has entries in the Derby at Epsom and the Curragh and also in France. I think there will be nice improvement to come.”